Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for cleaning a chamber of a substrate processing apparatus or a component disposed in the chamber includes: (a) forming a second metal-containing substance from a first metal-containing substance adhering to the chamber or the component by using a first processing gas including a fluorine-containing gas in the chamber; and (b) removing the second metal-containing substance by using a second processing gas including a precursor in the chamber.

Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus, a radio-frequency power supply adjusts frequencies of radio-frequency power in each bias cycle of electrical bias energy. The radio-frequency power supply uses a reference time series of frequencies of the radio-frequency power in each bias cycle. The radio-frequency power supply repeats using a changed time series of frequencies of the radio-frequency power in each bias cycle to increase a degree of match based on an evaluation value. The changed time series results from shifting the reference time series by a phase shift amount, scaling the reference time series in a frequency direction, or scaling two or more of multiple time zones of the reference time series in a time direction.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first bonding surface on a first substrate, the first bonding surface including a bonding layer that is thermally curable or photocurable. The method includes providing a second bonding surface on a second substrate. The method includes bonding the first substrate to the second substrate by making physical contact between the first bonding surface and second bonding surface. The method further includes applying thermal energy or light to the bonding layer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for tuning stress transitions of films on a substrate. The method includes forming a stress-adjustment layer on the substrate, wherein the stress-adjustment layer includes first regions formed of a first material and second regions formed of a second material, wherein the first material includes a first internal stress and the second material includes a second internal stress, and wherein the first internal stress is different compared to the second internal stress; and forming transition regions between the first regions and the second regions, wherein the transition regions include an interface between the first material and the second material that has a predetermined slope that is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method for fabricating a plurality of semiconductor devices in a semiconductor wafer includes: bowing a semiconductor wafer including a substrate by covering the substrate with a strained layer; forming trenches at locations in scribe lines of the semiconductor wafer, the scribe lines identifying areas between adjacent dies on the semiconductor wafer; and reducing the bowing of the semiconductor wafer by filling the trenches with a stress-compensation material.

Abstract: A method performed by a processor of a plasma processing system including a transfer device and a plasma processing apparatus that includes a process chamber. The process chamber includes a mount table on a surface of which a first focus ring is placed. The method includes controlling the transfer device to transfer the first focus ring out of the process chamber without opening the process chamber to the atmosphere; after the first focus ring is transferred out of the process chamber, controlling the plasma processing apparatus to clean the surface of the mount table; and after the surface of the mount table is cleaned, controlling the transfer device to transfer a second focus ring into the process chamber and place the second focus ring on the surface of the mount table without opening the process chamber to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A plasma-processing apparatus includes a processing container, a stage provided within the processing container, an upper electrode provided above a front surface of the stage, with a space within the processing container interposed therebetween, a waveguide configured to introduce radio-frequency waves in a VHF/UHF band into the space, and a conductive part extending between the outer peripheral portion of the stage and a side wall of the processing container. The stage includes a metal layer. Its outer peripheral portion includes a part of the metal layer. The waveguide includes an end portion from which radio-frequency waves are emitted. The end portion is disposed to face the space. The side wall is grounded. The conductive part is electrically connected to the metal layer and the side wall while extending from the outer peripheral portion toward the side wall so that the radio-frequency waves are introduced into the space.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus which transports a substrate to a substrate transport position. The apparatus comprises: a transport unit including a substrate holder that holds the substrate, a base having magnets and configured to move the substrate holder, and a link member connecting the substrate holder to the base; and a planar motor having a main body, electromagnetic coils arranged in the main body, and a linear driver supplying power to the electromagnetic coils to magnetically levitate and linearly drive the base. The base includes a first member and a second member rotatably provided in the first member, and the magnets are provided inside the first member and the second member, the link member is rotatably connected to the second member, and the linear driver rotates the second member with respect to the first member and expands and contracts the substrate holder via the link member.

Abstract: A gas supply apparatus supplies a gas to a processing space where a gas processing is performed on a substrate. The gas supply apparatus includes: a gas supply source configured to supply a gas; a gas supply path configured to supply the gas to the processing space; an opening/closing valve configured to supply/stop the gas and provided in the gas supply path; a detector configured to detect a detectable index correlated with a Cv value of the opening/closing valve; an opening degree adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an opening degree of the opening/closing valve when the opening/closing valve is opened; and a controller configured to: store a relationship between the Cv value and the index; and control the opening degree by the opening degree adjustment mechanism such that when the index deviates from an appropriate range corresponding to an appropriate Cv value, the index falls within the appropriate range.

Abstract: There is provided a filter circuit provided in a plasma processing device for processing a substrate using plasma generated using power of a first frequency of 4 MHz or more and power of a second frequency of 100 Hz or more and less than 4 MHz. The filter circuit comprises: a first filter provided in a wiring between a conductive member provided in the plasma processing device and a power supply configured to supply power of a third frequency of less than 100 Hz or control power which is direct-current (DC) power, to the conductive member; and a second filter provided in a wiring between the first filter and the power supply.

Abstract: A method for detecting defects on a sample based on a defect inspection apparatus is provided. In the method, an image data set that includes defect data and non-defect data is organized. A convolutional neural network (CNN) model is defined. The CNN model is trained based on the image data set. The defects on the sample are detected based on inspection data of the defect inspection apparatus and the CNN model. The sample includes uniformly repeating structures, and the inspection data of the defect inspection apparatus is generated by filtering out signals of the uniformly repeating structures of the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a substrate support. The substrate support comprises: a base; a first dielectric portion, disposed on the base, having a substrate support portion on which a substrate is mounted; and a second dielectric portion, disposed around the first dielectric portion, having an edge ring support portion on which an edge ring is mounted, wherein at least one of the first dielectric portion and the second dielectric portion includes a sprayed layer formed of an insulating material.

Abstract: An etching method includes: preparing a substrate including a first region containing silicon and nitrogen, and a second region containing silicon and oxygen; and etching the second region while firming a tungsten-containing protective layer on the first region, by exposing the first and second regions to plasma generated from a processing gas containing carbon, fluorine, and tungsten.

Abstract: An etching method includes providing a substrate including an etching target layer including a silicon-containing layer, and a mask located on the etching target layer, comprising a metal, and having an opening defined by a side wall of the mask, supplying a process gas including a metal-containing gas, and etching, with plasma generated from the process gas, the etching target layer through the opening while forming a protective layer comprising a metal on a top of the mask and on the side wall of the mask.

Abstract: A forming method of a component used in a plasma processing apparatus includes irradiating an energy beam to a source material of the component while supplying the source material based on a surface state of the component.

Abstract: A method of forming a RuSi film, the method includes adsorbing silicon in a recess that is formed in a substrate and includes an insulating film by supplying a silicon-containing gas to the substrate, forming a Ru film in the recess by supplying a Ru-containing precursor to the recess in which the silicon is adsorbed, and forming a RuSi film by supplying a silicon-containing gas to the recess in which the Ru film is formed.

Abstract: An edge ring includes a first edge ring, and a second edge ring that has a side surface adjacent to a side surface of the first edge ring and is movable in a vertical direction along the side surface of the first edge ring. Further, the side surface of the first edge ring and the side surface of the second edge ring at least partially face each other in a movement range of the second edge ring.

Abstract: A first electrostatic chuck of a substrate support of the disclosed plasma processing apparatus has first and second electrodes and holds an edge ring. A second electrostatic chuck of the substrate support holds a substrate. The first electrode extends closer to the second electrostatic chuck than the second electrode. During plasma processing, a first voltage having a positive polarity is applied to the first and second electrodes. In a first period after the plasma processing, a second voltage having a negative polarity is applied to the first and second electrodes. In a second period after the first period, a third voltage having a positive polarity is applied to the first electrode, and a fourth voltage having a negative polarity is applied to the second electrode. The absolute value of the third voltage is smaller than the absolute value of the first voltage and the absolute value of the second voltage.

Abstract: A container for a substrate-like sensor with a terminal includes a main body having an opening, and a support disposed in the main body and configured to support the substrate-like sensor. The container includes a contact pin disposed in the main body and configured to contact the terminal of the substrate-like sensor, and a drive mechanism configured to drive the contact pin. The container includes a jack disposed outside the main body and electrically connected to the contact pin, and a cover for allowing the opening of the main body to be closed.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber; a wall member; an insulating member; and a ground member. The wall member is partially placed in an internal space of the chamber and exposed to a space at an outside of the chamber. The insulating member is provided on the wall member. The ground member is made of silicon, provided in the internal space and mounted on the insulating member. The wall member is configured to support the ground member in a non-contact state with the insulating member therebetween. The ground member is in contact with a spherical surface of the insulating member and mounted on the spherical surface.